Learning you’re about to make your inter-county debut is a big moment in any player’s life.

New Zealander Hayden Paddon returns to the World Rally Championship at next month’s Neste Rally Finland in an EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC.

It is understood the boy fell down the stairs.

Leading qualifier Mairead Martin (Kanturk) is safely through to the last 16 at the Irish Women’s Close Championship at Mullingar.

A senior Ireland international has yet to hit the net at Old Trafford this season, but 17-year-old Thomas O’Connor managed it as Southampton caused an FA Youth Cup shock.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan will be joined by one-time US presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders strategist Tadd Devine on a heavy-hitting schedule for this year’s Kennedy Summer School.

Four victims of abuser and former Olympic swimming coach Gerard Doyle yesterday settled their High Court actions.

Corn Uí Mhuirí (Munster PPS U18½ AFC) semi-finals

This month saw the opening of three Educate Together national schools in Dublin, Wexford and Galway; and one second-level school in Kildare.

Good Counsel, New Ross 2-12 Dublin South 0-1: Leinster Post Primary Hurling: Good Counsel, New Ross laid the foundation for victory over Dublin South in the opening half of this Leinster Post Primary SHC A quarter-final at Pairc Ui Bhriain, Carlow, courtesy of two goals from Bob Whitty.

Good Counsel, New Ross 1-11 Marist College, Athlone 2-5

Leinster U20s 32 Munster U20s 20

Eirgrid’s plans to carry out an 18-month survey of the ocean floor between Ireland and France with a view to having a €1bn powerline between both countries is being described as further evidence that the controversial pylon project is really about exporting energy.

All-Ireland champions Dublin and reigning O'Byrne Cup champions Kildare claimed first round wins in the Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup today, while Longford, Wexford, Offaly, Meath and Wicklow were also victorious this afternoon.

New products on show at the Ploughing Championships included the DeLaval FMC60 farm-monitoring camera.

Ireland’s hopes of a first Women’s Home International victory since 2004 were dealt a hammer blow on the opening day as the hosts were trounced 9-0 by England at Cork Golf Club.

Ireland will go into today’s Women’s Home Internationals at Cork Golf Club with team captain Claire Coughlan-Ryan determined her side can make a mockery of the world rankings.

Most of the top lady golfers from Ireland and Britain, including Curtis Cup stars, will compete in the prestigious Ladies Home International Championships at Cork Golf Club next week.

Despite Waterford being recognised as a hurling power house, (sometimes) my preference for things GAA is football.

Adrian Morrow flew home from Austria yesterday on cloud nine after conquering a top class field to clinch the European Seniors Amateur Championship.

England’s Emily Taylor won the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay by three strokes from Ireland’s Mary Dowling (New Ross) and Gillian O’Leary (Cork) at The Island Golf Club yesterday.

Local owner Marie Field from Patrickswell has a strong hand in the J.P. McManus Irish Cup, which gets underway at Limerick Racecourse this morning.

JARLATH’S in a Hogan Cup decider is no rare occurrence. Today the Tuam school competes in its 25th final in this competition.

REIGNING All-Ireland champions St Kieran’s College will put their provincial title on the line when they face Kilkenny rivals Castlecomer CS in this afternoon’s Leinster Colleges SAHC final at Nowlan Park, 2pm.

A LORCAN DOLAN goal two minutes from time secured a semi-final spot for Moate CS at Stillorgan yesterday.

THE Irish Road Haulage Association is satisfied that the vast majority of hauliers on Irish roads are compliant with legislation governing vehicle safety, drivers’ hours and overloading.

THE number of companies formed jumped 5% in the first quarter of this year to 3,543 as people who lost jobs looked to go it alone.

IRELAND will be bidding to advance to their third FIRA-AER U18 Championship decider in four years when they face Georgia in tonight’s semi-final at Casale Sul Sile, Treviso, (7pm, Irish time).

The Ireland U-18 Club team, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, to play Germany in the opening game of the FIRA-AER U-18 Tournament in Treviso has been named.

EMMA O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion) defeated Paula Grant (Lisburn) to capture the Lancome Girls’ Irish Close Championship title in sensational style at Castletroy GC yesterday.

THE 27th European Reversible Ploughing Contest will be held in the Republic of Ireland next year for the first time.

The Ireland U-18 club squad of 26 players to participate in the 2009 FIRA/AER U-18 Championships in France from April 2-12 has been announced.

IRELAND’S young club stars get an opportunity to test themselves against a visiting French region in Ashbourne, County Meath on Sunday (noon).

Lucan's Richard O'Donovan recorded a fine opening round of 70 to lead after day one of the Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship at Portumna Golf Club.

2007 runners-up Cork turned the tables on champions Wexford with a comfortable 3-6 to 0-5 victory in the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship today.

THE Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, remain on course to meet in today’s final of the Lancome Irish Women’s Close Championship in Westport.

A couple and their two young children have been killed in a house fire in Co Wexford.

Child star Lisa Maguire has blasted her way into the semi-finals of

Child star Lisa Maguire has blasted her way into the semi-finals of the Lancôme Irish Ladies’ Close Championship at Lahinch today.

Leading qualifier Tara Delaney cruised into the last 16 of the Lancôme Irish Ladies Close Championship with a 3 and 1 win over Charlotte Crowe at Lahinch today.

Galway's Sinead O’Sullivan hit a brilliant level-par 74 today to lead the Lancôme Irish Ladies’ Close Championship after the first qualifying round at windswept Lahinch.

Tricia Mangan (Ennis), fresh from her seventh-place finish at the Welsh Open Strokeplay, defends her Lancome Irish Ladies’ Close Championship at The European Club, Co Wicklow, May 13 to 17.

Leinster clubs came one step closer towards capturing the Remax Towns Cup after completing the first round today.

THE National Ploughing Association of Ireland yesterday formally accepted the challenge of hosting next year’s world championships at Tullow in Co Carlow.

The Leinster Junior squad will play two friendlies before the start of the Interprovincial series against Barnhall (in Barnhall) on Saturday, August 13 and against Clontarf (in Castle Avenue) on Saturday, August 20.

SWIMMING’S Long Course Championships came to a close yesterday on a high note, with 13 swimmers achieving international qualifying times, four new Irish senior records and two new Irish junior records to round off a very successful weekend.

CHAMPIONS Ireland bid to advance a little closer to their third consecutive Centenary Shield (Schools U19 soccer) honours when they play England at Turner’s Cross tonight (7pm).